The Squirrel Hill Old Tyme Band will play Dixieland and traditional jazz Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club in Centerville at a fund-raiser for Town Councilor Janet Joakim. Appetizers and chowder will be served at 6 p.m., and there's a cash bar.

Gottwald seeking Statehouse berth

Harwich's member of the county Assembly of Delegates, Ray Gottwald, is looking to succeed Shirley Gomes as the Lower Cape's state representative next year. He's holding a fund-raiser Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Barley Neck Inn in Orleans. The suggested donation is $25 to $100. Call Sheila K. Bowen (508- 432-7956) to RSVP.

State sets insurance reform hearing

With education reform the topic of a public hearing at town hall Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m., can insurance reform be far behind?

Not at all. State representatives Demetrius Atsalis (he's the Democrat) and Jeff Perry (he's the Republican) both sent out press releases this week announcing a stop by the House Committee on Financial Affairs Nov. 3 at noon at Barnstable Town Hall.

While Atsalis's release notes that "Automobile insurance reform is an issue that affects my constituents and my community ,"

Perry reminds readers that Massachusetts "is one of two states in the Nation that does not have an open market when it comes to automobile insurance."

State Sen. Rob O'Leary trumpeted Senate passage of legislation to promote purchase of hybrid vehicles, including free Fast Lane transponders and use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

The legislation, which now goes to the House, requires that at least 50 percent of motor vehicles owned and operated by the government in 2010 must be hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles. Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Matt Patrick's energy efficiency bill, which sets such standards for heating systems, passed unanimously on a voice vote and now goes to the Senate.

End aid to Uzbekistan, says rep

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt has introduced a resolution that would stop American payments to the government of Uzbekistan in the face of continued human rights violations. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas cosponsored the resolution.

Test the troops

State Sen. Rob O'Leary and state Rep. Matt Patrick want National Guard troops tested for exposure to depleted uranium ammunition.